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Communication Major (BA) and Minor

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CommunicationBA,Minor
OverviewRequirements

MAJOR

Communication majors must complete course work in these areas:

A sequence of six required core courses:

  • CM 101 Introduction to Communication

  • CM 121 Fundamentals of Oral Communication

  • CM 221A Media and Society

  • CM 223 Argumentation and Debate

  • CM 303A Propaganda and Persuasion

  • CM 360A Media Ethics

Two additional Communication elective courses (non‑core courses numbered 300 or higher).

Independent studies, internships, and Winter Term courses may not count as Communication electives.

Two tools courses selected from the following list or approved by the mentor:

  • AR 101A Visual Problem Solving

  • AR 102A Drawing Fundamentals

  • AR 229A Photography as Image Gathering

  • AR 310 New Genre Art

  • AR 342A Introduction to Graphic Design

  • AR 343 Introduction to Computer Art

  • AR 346 The Art of Web Page Design

  • AR 348 Experimental Film and Video

  • CO 122 Analytic and Persuasive Writing

  • CO 201 Writing in the Garden

  • CO 202 Writing for Social Change

  • CO 328 Research Writing & Technology

  • CS 120M Computer Programming Concepts

  • CS 143 Intermediate Programming

  • CS 170A Videographics

  • FI 210A Introduction to Filmmaking

  • HD 207S Group Dynamics

  • TH 101A Human Instrument

  • TH 102A Intro to Theatre

  • TH 163A Basic Acting

No more than one tools course may count toward both the Communication major and a second major.

A minor in one of the following disciplines: (five or six courses): AI Studies, American Studies, Anthropology, Art, Art History, Biology, Chemistry, Classical Humanities, Computer Science, Coastal Management, Creative Writing, Environmental Studies, Film Studies, Geology, History, Human Development, International Business, International Relations and Global Affairs, Journalism, Law and Justice, Leadership Studies, Literature, Management, a modern language, Marine Science, Marketing, Music, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Theatre, or Women’s and Gender Studies. With the approval of the mentor and appropriate discipline coordinator, students may substitute a minor in a field not listed.

No course work applied to the major may be counted toward the completion of the minor, with the exception of CM360A Media Ethics for the Journalism minor.

Senior Comprehensive Course:

  • CM 498 Communication Research

Many students supplement course work by undertaking internships locally or overseas.


MINOR

The Communication Minor offers a sequence of courses that engages students with the theoretical and practical dimensions of communication. In these courses, students will refine their understand‑ ing of how communication affects everyday public, professional, and private life. In addition, students will strengthen their skills in oral and written com‑ munication and develop literacy in their critical engagement with mass and digital media.

The minor requires five courses. No more than one transfer course may count towards the minor. A minor in Communication requires 5 courses, including 3 core courses:

  • CM 101 Introduction to Communication

  • CM 121 Fundamentals of Oral Communication

  • CM 221A Media and Society

The minor may be completed by taking any other 2 courses with the CM designation with the exception of CM 498.